Legal Insight

Practical Counsel

kelly & lemmons, p.a.

About Us

Since our firm was established in 1974, we have striven to provide diligent and professional legal representation to every client that has walked through our doors. We represent a diverse clientele in a broad range of legal areas throughout Minnesota, and have built a successful practice on a commitment to providing proactive and creative solutions to a client’s legal problems, as evidenced by our many long-term and repeat clients. We recognize that practical considerations can go beyond strict legal issues and counsel our clients accordingly.

Kelly & Lemmons has been dedicated to representing Minnesota local government units and has developed a strong municipal practice representing cities and townships throughout the seven-county metropolitan area and beyond. Our municipal experience complements a strong practice in real property where our attorneys have experienced nearly all types of litigation and transactional issues related to real estate matters. We have also garnered an excellent reputation as advocates for the rights of workers throughout Minnesota on behalf of public and private labor unions and employee organizations as well as individual employees.

We handle a wide array of legal issues but never lose focus of our client’s needs and objectives. Our lawyers have established a reputation for providing proactive legal solutions and obtaining creative solutions that meet our clients’ individual goals. Our mission at Kelly & Lemmons is to never compromise ethics, professionalism, or integrity; to treat every client like they are our only client; and to proactively and creatively strive to reach our client’s goals.

Practice Areas

Kelly & Lemmons represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations, unfair labor practices, unit clarifications, representation elections, and rights and obligations in collective bargaining. We also advise employers and employees on employment law issues, from harassment and discrimination, to statutory leave, and wage and hour claims. We have particular experience with the rights and responsibilities unique to Minnesota public sector employment. We frequently represent veterans facing removal under Minn. Stat. § 197.46 and have represented veterans in hiring and promotional decisions under § 197.455. Kelly & Lemmons has been recognized as a Patriotic Employer by the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (“ESGR”).

Estate Planning

We help clients develop detailed estate plans that work for them and their families. An estate plan often consists of more than just a will or a trust, such as a power of attorney, healthcare directive, or appointment of a guardian for minor children. We take an active role when planning a client’s estate, working to obtain a cost-effective solution that meets the client’s needs and the needs of their heirs.

Municipal/Prosecution

Kelly & Lemmons represents municipalities as both civil attorney and prosecutor. We understand that in order to effectively govern a local government unit, comprehensive legal and practical advice is needed to provide foresight and ensure that obstacles are effectively navigated. To that end, we have advised municipalities on land use and zoning, drafting/revising ordinances, assessment appeals, and eminent domain, to name a few. We also prosecute misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes on behalf of several municipalities in Ramsey and Washington Counties. We have a firm-wide dedication to law enforcement, from prosecuting crimes, to representing law enforcement unions and individual law enforcement officers.

Our Attorneys

Patrick J. Kelly, Shareholder

Patrick J. Kelly, Shareholder

Patrick is a shareholder at Kelly & Lemmons. He attended National University of Ireland, University College of Dublin before graduating from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Creighton University School of Law where he was a member of the Creighton Law Review. Patrick served as an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971‐ 1979.

Patrick is very familiar with representing local government units, having served as a city attorney for over 40 years. Having represented both municipalities and private landowners, Patrick is an authority in eminent domain, evidenced by his frequent selection to serve as a commissioner in contested eminent domain proceedings, including serving as a court-appointed commissioner in light rail and state highway condemnations. He is recognized annually as one of the state’s preeminent municipal attorneys, demonstrated by his selection as a SuperLawyer in Municipal Law each year since 2005.

Among his many accolades, Patrick is a past president of the Minnesota State Bar Association and was named 2007 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. He has served as a Minnesota Delegate for the American Bar Association and on the State Commission on Judicial Selection for the Second Judicial District.

Areas of Practice

Municipal

Real Estate Development

Land Use/Zoning

Eminent Domain

Labor & Employment

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Wisconsin

United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Supreme Court of the United States

Education

Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska

J.D. - 1975

National University of Ireland, Dublin Ireland

Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

B.A. – 1971

Honors & Awards

Super Lawyer, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, 2005-2018

Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2007

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association, Past President

Ramsey County Bar Association, Past President

Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, Board of Directors

Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Selection

American Bar Association

Chad D. Lemmons, Shareholder

Chad D. Lemmons, Shareholder

Chad is a shareholder with Kelly & Lemmons. Chad graduated from the University of Minnesota and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Since 2000, Chad has been recognized by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Certified Real Property Specialist. He has over 35 years’ experience practicing primarily in the areas of property and real estate law. Chad represents individuals and organizations in landlord-tenant law, residential and commercial transactions, complex property matters, contract disputes, and liens. Chad currently serves on the Title Standards Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Honors & Awards

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

MSBA, Title Standards Committee

Ramsey County Bar Association

Kevin M. Beck, Shareholder

Kevin M. Beck, Shareholder

Kevin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of Carleton College and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. His practice is primarily devoted to litigation in the areas of labor and employment, municipal, and corporate law. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2012, an honor bestowed upon less than 2.5% of eligible attorneys.

Kevin advises public and private labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions and their members in grievance arbitrations, with particular experience representing law enforcement officers. Kevin also represents veterans to enforce their rights under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Kevin manages all aspects of litigation files, from drafting pleadings, to discovery and motions work, through verdict and appeal. In addition, Kevin makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties. Kevin also advises corporations and individuals on transactional matters, ranging from employment issues, to contract interpretation/drafting, and regulatory compliance.

Professional Associations & Memberships

Joseph A. Kelly, Shareholder

Joseph A. Kelly, Shareholder

Joe is a shareholder with the firm. He is a 2005 graduate of Arizona State University, one of the top 100 research universities in the world, and a 2008 graduate of Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Joe has frequently been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, including each year since 2015, and was named an Up-and-Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer in 2017. In addition, Joe is an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Army National Guard where he has served on two deployments and been awarded, among other, a Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Second Award), Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. In 2015, Joe received a “Veterans Voices” award for his contributions to his community and protecting the employment rights of Veterans in Minnesota. In 2016, Joe was one of just 28 officers in the United States honored with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which General MacArthur stood—duty, honor, and country.

Joe's practice spans municipal, labor and employment, and property law. Joe advises city staff and elected officials on municipal legal issues, including the open meeting law, data practices act, and land use and zoning, including assessments under Chapter 429. Joe also advises labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations. Joe has particular experience representing law enforcement officers and veterans under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Joe makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

Ramsey County Bar Association

Second Judicial District Ethics Committee

Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Martin H.R. Norder, Shareholder

Martin H.R. Norder, Shareholder

Martin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas and the University of Saint Thomas School of Law. Prior to joining Kelly and Lemmons, Martin served as a judicial clerk for two Ramsey County District Court judges: the Honorable Michael T. DeCourcy and the Honorable Lezlie Ott Marek.

Martin practices mainly in the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes in Ramsey and Washington Counties. He oversees prosecution from charging and discovery through motions and trial. Martin has also successfully argued numerous criminal cases at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. In addition to prosecution, Martin practices in the areas of estate planning, municipal law, and labor/employment.

Areas of Practice

Prosecution

Labor & Employment

Municipal

Estate Planning

Bar Admissions

State of Minnesota

United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, Minnesota

J.D. – 2008

University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota

B.A. – 2004

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

Ramsey County Bar Association, Board of Directors

Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Patrick McGuigan, Attorney

Patrick McGuigan, Attorney

Patrick J. McGuigan is a senior attorney with Kelly & Lemmons. He has practiced law in St. Paul for over 40 years and has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible for both legal abilities and ethical standards. Pat received his juris doctor degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he was a member of the Silver Gavel Honor Society, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Thomas. Pat served six years as Chairman of the Second Judicial Ethics Committee and as Co-Convener of the Ramsey County Probate and Trust Section. Pat was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve as a panel chair on the Minnesota State Board of Professional Responsibility from 2001 through 2007.

In addition to an emphasis in probate and estate administration and estate planning, Pat is an experienced transactional attorney with substantial experience in commercial loan documentation, foreclosures, real estate, general business and corporate law.

Areas of Practice

Wills, Trusts, and Estate Planning

Probate and Trust Administration

Commercial Loan Documentation

Mortgage Foreclosures

Closely Held Corporations

Bar Admissions

State of Minnesota

United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

Mitchell Hamline University School of Law, Saint Paul, Minnesota

J.D. - 1976

College of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota

B.A. – 1974

Honors & Awards

Super Lawyers, Minnesota 2015-2016

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

MSBA, Probate and Trust Section

Ramsey County Bar Association

Patrick J. Kelly, Shareholder

Patrick is a shareholder at Kelly & Lemmons. He attended National University of Ireland, University College of Dublin before graduating from Marquette University with a Bachelor of Arts degree and Creighton University School of Law where he was a member of the Creighton Law Review. Patrick served as an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Army Reserve from 1971‐ 1979.

Patrick is very familiar with representing local government units, having served as a city attorney for over 40 years. Having represented both municipalities and private landowners, Patrick is an authority in eminent domain, evidenced by his frequent selection to serve as a commissioner in contested eminent domain proceedings, including serving as a court-appointed commissioner in light rail and state highway condemnations. He is recognized annually as one of the state’s preeminent municipal attorneys, demonstrated by his selection as a SuperLawyer in Municipal Law each year since 2005.

Among his many accolades, Patrick is a past president of the Minnesota State Bar Association and was named 2007 Attorney of the Year by Minnesota Lawyer. He has served as a Minnesota Delegate for the American Bar Association and on the State Commission on Judicial Selection for the Second Judicial District.

Areas of Practice

Municipal

Real Estate Development

Land Use/Zoning

Eminent Domain

Labor & Employment

Bar Admissions

Minnesota

Wisconsin

United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals

Supreme Court of the United States

Education

Creighton University School of Law, Omaha, Nebraska

J.D. - 1975

National University of Ireland, Dublin Ireland

Marquette University, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

B.A. – 1971

Honors & Awards

Super Lawyer, Mpls/St. Paul Magazine, 2005-2018

Attorney of the Year, Minnesota Lawyer, 2007

AV Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association, Past President

Ramsey County Bar Association, Past President

Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society, Board of Directors

Second Judicial District Commission on Judicial Selection

American Bar Association

Chad D. Lemmons, Shareholder

Chad is a shareholder with Kelly & Lemmons. Chad graduated from the University of Minnesota and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Since 2000, Chad has been recognized by the Minnesota State Bar Association as a Certified Real Property Specialist. He has over 35 years’ experience practicing primarily in the areas of property and real estate law. Chad represents individuals and organizations in landlord-tenant law, residential and commercial transactions, complex property matters, contract disputes, and liens. Chad currently serves on the Title Standards Committee of the Minnesota State Bar Association.

Honors & Awards

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

MSBA, Title Standards Committee

Ramsey County Bar Association

Kevin M. Beck, Shareholder

Kevin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of Carleton College and Mitchell Hamline College of Law. His practice is primarily devoted to litigation in the areas of labor and employment, municipal, and corporate law. He has been named a Super Lawyers Rising Star each year since 2012, an honor bestowed upon less than 2.5% of eligible attorneys.

Kevin advises public and private labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions and their members in grievance arbitrations, with particular experience representing law enforcement officers. Kevin also represents veterans to enforce their rights under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Kevin manages all aspects of litigation files, from drafting pleadings, to discovery and motions work, through verdict and appeal. In addition, Kevin makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties. Kevin also advises corporations and individuals on transactional matters, ranging from employment issues, to contract interpretation/drafting, and regulatory compliance.

Professional Associations & Memberships

Joseph A. Kelly, Shareholder

Joe is a shareholder with the firm. He is a 2005 graduate of Arizona State University, one of the top 100 research universities in the world, and a 2008 graduate of Mitchell Hamline College of Law. Joe has frequently been recognized as a Super Lawyers Rising Star, including each year since 2015, and was named an Up-and-Coming Attorney by Minnesota Lawyer in 2017. In addition, Joe is an Infantry Captain in the U.S. Army National Guard where he has served on two deployments and been awarded, among other, a Ranger Tab, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (Second Award), Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, and Pathfinder Badge. In 2015, Joe received a “Veterans Voices” award for his contributions to his community and protecting the employment rights of Veterans in Minnesota. In 2016, Joe was one of just 28 officers in the United States honored with the General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award, which recognizes outstanding company grade officers who demonstrate the ideals for which General MacArthur stood—duty, honor, and country.

Joe's practice spans municipal, labor and employment, and property law. Joe advises city staff and elected officials on municipal legal issues, including the open meeting law, data practices act, and land use and zoning, including assessments under Chapter 429. Joe also advises labor unions on collective-bargaining rights and obligations and represents labor unions in grievance arbitrations. Joe has particular experience representing law enforcement officers and veterans under the Minnesota Veterans Preference Act. Joe makes frequent appearances and oversees petty misdemeanor, misdemeanor, and gross misdemeanor prosecution cases as a prosecutor in Ramsey and Washington Counties.

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

Ramsey County Bar Association

Second Judicial District Ethics Committee

Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Martin H.R. Norder, Shareholder

Martin is a shareholder with the firm. He is a graduate of the University of Saint Thomas and the University of Saint Thomas School of Law. Prior to joining Kelly and Lemmons, Martin served as a judicial clerk for two Ramsey County District Court judges: the Honorable Michael T. DeCourcy and the Honorable Lezlie Ott Marek.

Martin practices mainly in the prosecution of misdemeanor and gross misdemeanor crimes in Ramsey and Washington Counties. He oversees prosecution from charging and discovery through motions and trial. Martin has also successfully argued numerous criminal cases at the Minnesota Court of Appeals. In addition to prosecution, Martin practices in the areas of estate planning, municipal law, and labor/employment.

Areas of Practice

Prosecution

Labor & Employment

Municipal

Estate Planning

Bar Admissions

State of Minnesota

United States District Court, District of Minnesota

Education

University of St. Thomas School of Law, Minneapolis, Minnesota

J.D. – 2008

University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota

B.A. – 2004

Professional Associations & Memberships

Minnesota State Bar Association

Ramsey County Bar Association, Board of Directors

Warren E. Burger Inn of Court

Patrick McGuigan, Attorney

Patrick J. McGuigan is a senior attorney with Kelly & Lemmons. He has practiced law in St. Paul for over 40 years and has achieved an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating possible for both legal abilities and ethical standards. Pat received his juris doctor degree from Mitchell Hamline School of Law, where he was a member of the Silver Gavel Honor Society, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Thomas. Pat served six years as Chairman of the Second Judicial Ethics Committee and as Co-Convener of the Ramsey County Probate and Trust Section. Pat was appointed by the Minnesota Supreme Court to serve as a panel chair on the Minnesota State Board of Professional Responsibility from 2001 through 2007.

In addition to an emphasis in probate and estate administration and estate planning, Pat is an experienced transactional attorney with substantial experience in commercial loan documentation, foreclosures, real estate, general business and corporate law.